Not everyone who works for Sussex Police was overwhelmed to get an invitation to meetings for gays and lesbians.

The force put a piece of paper inside the wage packet of all employees so minority groups could feel encouraged to meet.

Opposition to the move is exactly the sort of lingering prejudice the police are trying to dispel.

For years the police had a bad reputation among gay and lesbian groups for not seeking to help them. That reputation was partly justified.

Today, there's no reason why police officers shouldn't be gay and the force is right to make them feel welcome.